Loose-leaf binder.



E. W. HILL.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. 1915.

1., 1BQ89Q Patented A m-.25, 1916.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH :0, WASHINGTON, D. c.

EDWARD W. HILL, OF'CHIOAGO. ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEAF BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 25, little.

Application filed June 29, 1915. Serial No. 36,923.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, EDWARD W. HILL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, Illinois, have invented a new and useful Loose-Leaf Binder, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to loose leaf binders of the type of my Patents #1,008,597 and #1935378.

The main object is to provide a simple construction which may be readily operated and yet will hold the parts together securely and practically avoid possibility of accidental separation.

In the preferred embodiment the two covers or base plates are provided with the usual telescoping post members and with inter-engaging clasp members. These clasp members are so constructed that when the post members are telescoped these clasp members are automatically brought into their proper relative position for interengagement. Preferably the covers or plates which form part of the covers are springlike between the post members and the clasp members are secured substantially midway between the post members and the parts are so proportioned that the spring tension of the plates holds the clasp members snugly together with their shoulders interlocked. lWhen the clasp member having the inner shoulder is pressed inward, the parts automatically spring away from each other to facilitate separation of the covers of the book. ll also provide a guard to prevent accidental operation of the release of the clasps. Nhen the parts are to be assembled, the spring tension of the base plates requires that after the posts are telescoped the clasps shall be pressed toward each other until their shoulders are interlocked. When pressure is released, the spring tension holds the parts snugly.

Figure 1, is a back view and partial section of a loose leaf book embodying my invention. Fig. 2, 1s a fragmentary perspective view showing the parts separated and partly broken away. Fig. 3, is an enlarged sectional view taken partly on the plane of the line 33 of 1 and partly through a pair of the telescoping posts. Fig. i, is a detail interior perspective view of one of the clasp members. Fig. 5, is a detail interior perspective view of the guard member. Fig. 6, is a detail exterior perspective view of the other clasp member.

The covers are indicated at 10 and 11 and their end or base plates at 12 and 13. These plates are preferably of steel having some quality of spring tension. The plates carry respectively the telescoping post members 14: and 15.

The clasp members 16 and 17 are secured respectively to the base plates 12 and 13 of the covers in a suitable manner as for instance, by means of rivets such as 18. The member 16 carries the shoulder 19 which projects inwardly and is aclzupted to overlap the shoulder 20 on the clasp member 17. The two clasp members are preferably some- What springy to facilitate the assemblage and separation of the parts. Preferably the clasp member 17 has an outwardly projecting boss or finger piece to facilitate digital operation. This member is also provided with an opening 22 through which the clasp member 16 is adapted to be inserted. It will thus be seen that it is easy to assemble the parts by simply pushing them together and that it is easy to separate the parts by simply pressing inward on the finger piece 21 so as to release the interlocking shoulders.

To prevent the parts from being acci dentally separated, l have provided a guard 23 which surrounds the base of the clasp member 16 and the tip of the clasp member 17 and conforms in shape and position to the end of the linger piece 21. This guard is relatively rigid and prevents release of the clasp members by any ordinary accidental contact. The parts may be readily separated in spite of the guard by pressure of the thumb or finger as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

The perforated sheets 25 are mounted on the tubular parts 14-. of the posts in the usual manner and their rear edges are spaced apart from the clasp sufficiently to permit the inner clasp 17 to be operated for release of the parts. Although I have shown but a single clasp arranged midway between the posts it should be understood that certain advantages of the invention mightbe had with two clasps as illustrated in my two former patents above referred to.

What I claim is 1. In a loose leaf book construction, the combination of cover members having telescoping post members, loose leaf sheets mounted on said posts between said covers, clasp members carried by said cover mem bers having interlocking shoulders, a projecting finger piece for one of said clasp .members and a projecting guard conforming in general shape and position to said finger piece for preventing accidental release of the parts.

2. In a loose leaf book construction, spring plates, telescoping post members carried by opposite ends of said plates, a clasp member secured to each plate, between the post members thereof, and a relatively rigid guard surrounding a part of one of said clasp. members and adapted to prevent accidental operation of the other clasp member.

3. In a loose leaf book construction, the combination with the cover members having telescoping post members of a clasp member secured to each cover member between the post members, said cover members being springy for holding said clasp members in interlocking engagement when the post members are telescoped, a finger piece for operating one of said clasp members and a guard for preventing accidental operation thereof.

I In a loose leaf book construction, the combination with base plates and leaf engaging posts between said plates, of clasp members carried by said base plates having shoulders adapted to automatically. interlock as the base plates are brought together, a finger piece for releasing said clasp members and a relatively stationary guard disposed adjacent the end of said finger piece when the base plates are secured together by said clasp members whereby to prevent accidental operation of said finger piece and consequent unintentional separation of the base plates.

5. In a loose leaf book construction, the combination of supports for a pack of loose leaves, leaf engaging means for holding the pack of leaves between said supports, clasp members on said supports adapted to automatically interlock as the supports are brought together into assembled relation, a finger piece for releasing the clasp members from each other and a relatively stationary guard disposed adjacent the end of said finger piece when the supports are secured together by said clasp members whereby to prevent accidental operation of the finger piece and consequent unintentional separation of the supports.

' EDWARD W. HILL.

Copies of this patent may he obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. O. 

